Two-year jail term for "man with much potential" who had sex with girl (14)

A 31-year-old man from County Sligo has been sentenced at the Central Criminal Court to three years imprisonment, with the final year suspended for twelve months, following his guilty plea to the defilement of a child under 15. The offence occurred at an apartment in September 2012. The court heard that the girl, aged 14 at the time, was met by the man by chance and subsequently assaulted sexually against her will. She had informed him of her age and falsely claimed pregnancy in an attempt to discourage him. The man denied knowledge of her age, claiming he believed her to be approximately 18. Justice Tara Burns identified the significant age disparity and the victim's vulnerability as aggravating factors, whilst acknowledging the defendant's guilty plea and admissions to gardaí as mitigation. The suspended portion is conditional on the man maintaining the peace, remaining substance-free, and avoiding contact with minors. He is currently serving a separate sentence for assault causing harm.